KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 15 — A 20-year-old garbage man has gone viral on social media for sharing on-the-job videos on TikTok.

Unlike most who wouldn’t imagine taking pride in a job like a sanitation worker, Wan Othman Wan Mohd Nor Hasyim, better known as Wan, is proud of being a garbage collector and owns it all the way.

One of his latest TikTok videos, which shows him on a collection route and then treating his mum and three younger sisters to a meal at Kentucky Fried Chicken, has garnered over a million views and over 176,000 likes.

"Behind the stench-filled back-breaking labour under the hot sun is a strong man who had to take over his father’s place as the breadwinner of the family,” he posted.

"All so I can watch my sisters grow up and go to school, I wouldn’t be this strong without my mum.”

Although his dad is still around, Wan is reluctant to talk about him and has been working since he was 14, as soon as he finished Form Two, reported mStar.

"I just wanted to work to help out my mum who works as a nanny,” said Wan, who’s been working for Alam Flora Pahang for almost two years.

"When I first told my mum I was going to quit school to work, she wasn’t happy,” he said. "Which mum doesn’t want her child to complete their education, right?”

But in the end, she relented as Wan has three younger sisters to provide for.

His elder sister left school at the age of 16 after completing Form Four.

"When she first told me she was quitting school to work, I said no because she only had a year to go,” he said. "But she was so determined to earn money for our family.”

Wan himself does not have PMR and SPM qualifications, which makes it that much harder to get a job.

"But I’m happy with what I do, I’m not looking for another job at the moment.”

On going back to school after his sisters were done, he said for now he has to work because they come first.

"I want to see them finish school and achieve their ambitions,” he added.

Pleasantly surprised with the popularity of his videos, he’s moved that so many have praised him for being a responsible, hardworking son and brother.

"He is the true meaning of a son, not a son who can fight in a brawl,” read a comment.

"We’re from the same gang, Wan, we bear our father’s responsibilities,” said another.

In response, Wan said: "I just shared my family life and what I do every day at work. Hopefully it inspires people out there.

"Don’t be too picky when it comes to getting a job, no matter how hard it is, just do it, as long as you earn and it’s halal (permissible).”